iDog Instruction Manual
A couple of days ago, we received an iDog that I absolutely love. In fact, I think I’m more in love with it than my son who insists on keeping him in a box with the Robo Pet, the iDog’s “mommy”.
Like all good parents (ha!), I read the iDog manual but it both had too much detail and not enough instructions. They were listing all the different light patterns but didn’t explain how to interact with the dog besides “feeding” it music every hour to keep it “happy.”
One night, when my son was playing with it a lot, it suddenly burst into a techno song. I didn’t know the iDog was capable of anything other than making little barking, purring, doggy sounds, and acting as a speaker if it was plugged into a player. I tried to get the iDog to play a song again the next day and it refused. Darn dog.
By now, the manual was long lost so I had to go online to find one. All the ones I found were English translations of the Japanese manual which doesn’t help because the Japanese iDog is more sophisticated with different features. Finally, I found the manual (pdf) at Hasbro. Reading it again didn’t help but visiting the Tiger Toys promo did.
To get the doggy to play its own tune, you have to push his button nose many times quickly in rapid succession. It’s considered a “surprise” bonus feature. But, he won’t play his music for you just because you ask. You have to have been feeding him a large amount of music AND “petting” his head often by stroking the top of his head where there is a touch sensor that looks like a small hole.
After pampering him this way, he’ll play his music for you. The music is catchy and my son loves to jive to it so it’s worth the bit of work to figure it out. Most people who’ve bought iDog seem to have missed out on this feature based on their reviews at places like Amazon and in their blogs. So, if you’re one of them, I hope this will help you enjoy your iDog even more!
As we speak, he’s sitting on top of our TV with his lights flashing, occasionally whimpering, head turning from side to side, and ears going up and down. Sesame Street appears to please the canine soul.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Children's Toys

50 opinions for iDog Instruction Manual
auntieannie2
Jun 16, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Hi, loved your description of you idog experience. I have the japanese idog and cannot read the manual, as it is in chinese or japanese. Where did you find the Englich translation for the japanese idog? Would appreciate the link or an e-mail with the english translation of the manual. Thanks loads.
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Jun 17, 2006 at 2:49 am
auntieannie2: Here’s the link to an English translation of the Japanese iDog manual (I’ve emailed it to you too :) ).
http://www.mayobaby.com/iDog.html
Chris
Dec 25, 2006 at 10:19 pm
IS there a difference in the user manual from the I dog and the i dog puppy ? Please let me know.
Hsien-Hsien Lei
Dec 28, 2006 at 2:00 pm
Chris: Sorry, I don’t know. I’ve only played with the original American version of the iDog.
Leanna
Jan 18, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Hi i have an idog and i think the batteries are dead and there is no way i can figure out how to change them if nee one knows plese email me at trini_gal2001@hotmail.com thanks.
Play Library » Spider-Man’s iDog - The Spi-Dog
Apr 6, 2007 at 4:55 am
[...] have raucous company over today that he sang his techno song for us several times (find out how to get your iDog to sing in my instructions). And as luck would have it, I just found this Hasbro Spi-Dog in red and black. [...]
Josie
Apr 24, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Yeah, umm… I got my iDog a long, long time ago. He hasn’t been used in some time, and only recently did I put batteries in him (I’m not cruel -my “real” dog chewed my iPod). He listens to music just fine (in fact, he’s dancing on my desk right now) but I don’t think his motion sensors are working. I’ve spent several minutes at a time waving my hand over both the one on his mouth and head, as well as pressing my fingers to each, but it doesn’t seem to work. It’s bothering me, because (in my knowledge) nothing has happened to him to cause this. Could it be dust, or should I consider my iDog broken?
I’ve already tried blowing in both holes to clear them if it IS dust, but…
Lenka
May 1, 2007 at 3:04 am
I just “adopted” the i-Dog from my friend who got it as a gift a while back and never used it except for the first time he got him. I’ve been trying to give him lots of music, love and attention, but I also think that the motion sensor does not work, since nothing happens no matter how much I try to waive my hand over his head. Since he has also been sitting on a desk without being played with for a while, I wonder if that is a common problem with them and if he will never play his cool techno song for me :(
How much time and music does it take for the i-Dog to surprise you with his bonus song?
Josie
May 2, 2007 at 12:57 am
Holy crap! Two people, one problem! Is this ENLIGHTENMENT!?
Someone fix our dogs. >.
Hsien-Hsien Lei
May 2, 2007 at 4:13 am
Waving my hand above the sensor at the top of the iDog’s head doesn’t work for me. What you have to do is lightly stroke or tap the little pinhole for it to do the happy clicking sound. Enough of that in addition to pushing the button nose should get you the techno sound after at least 10-15 minutes of play. Although it can be unpredictable.
Ally
Jun 21, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Hi!
My iDog actually has the same problem with the motion sensor…
its not working even after tapping it… help?
thanks! =]
Melissa
Jun 29, 2007 at 2:27 am
The sensor on the head is very picky. For example, I have to have light shining directly on the pinhole and then wave something over the pinhole. I also have one of the first American I-Dogs. He’s cute but very temperamental.
LJ
Jul 22, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I recently got an Idog as a birthday gift.. and I’ve had it plugged into my Ipod for a while now.. the speaker works fine, and it seems to dance quite a bit, but I’ve as yet seen no ‘lights’ on the face, nor have I heard any ‘barking’.
Is it just that it hasn’t been fed enough, or is it broke?
Hsien Lei
Jul 28, 2007 at 4:22 am
LJ, Sounds like your iDog is broken because even if it’s just plugged in as a speaker, it should have lights flashing. It should bark when you pet its head.
mikaila
Aug 2, 2007 at 4:28 pm
i have i got my doughter an idog pup. She lost the manul so can you post it on this site?
Bethany
Aug 13, 2007 at 11:31 am
I didn’t take very good care of my idog. haha, it ran out of batteries and when I put new ones in it won’t turn on!?!?! so I started to look for my instructions, and now I can’t find them. So I’m stuck with this toy that doesn’t even work… but I don’t want to give up on it. Can ANYONE help me?!
Thanks.
Gizmo
Sep 2, 2007 at 9:58 am
I got a problem.I just recently got myself a Idog
and when i put the batteries in everything looks fine,until after some Min. he suddenly goes NUTS!!!
i am serious.he starts evnts keeps doing thos songs
keeps doing that sound when you push its nose
and the only way to stop it is to pull out the batteries…..So,is my idog beyond repair or is it possible to fix it? Please email me ASAP,PLEASE!
IER
Nov 3, 2007 at 7:59 am
My iDog is playing happy techno music right this minute! x)
IER
Nov 3, 2007 at 8:02 am
Oh and btw. what does it mean when you press his tail and he growls? Does it mean he’s angry? :| And also what are the special colour things that i remember, for each type of music he likes? >.
Gizmo
Nov 3, 2007 at 12:13 pm
yep,it means hes angry.and he wont say nothing
for 5 min or so.the special colour things….i dont know the names of them
HALP
Nov 8, 2007 at 8:49 pm
how long are idogs typically sick for? is there any way to make mine un-sick faster? i’ve had him for about a month, worked just fine for the first five days and he’s been sick ever since. :(
masih
Dec 15, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Why isnt my idog playing music.Why isnt it ever
happy
Tamra P.
Dec 20, 2007 at 4:26 am
THANK YOU! this was SO helpful! my iDog’s motion sensor was being weird, so i shone a light into it and then pet its head, and it worked! my little pup is singin’ hip-hop right now!
:P
Sunnie
Dec 21, 2007 at 12:22 pm
My idog will not come on! I’ve bought new batteries for him, but she still won’t play any music for me! I need help!
Sunnie
Dec 21, 2007 at 12:41 pm
okay i got my idog to play music,wiggle his ears,and shake his head but the colors on his face wont change colors!he has a purple do in the middle of his face and red all around it! it used to flash blue,red, and all the other colors.
HELP, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Connie
Dec 25, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Idog was a gift for my daughter. It played music one time for one song and now it won’t play again. I have given it new batteries, and hit the reset button, nothing happens! Help!!!!
Ginny
Dec 26, 2007 at 10:59 pm
How do you get the idog to turn off??? She makes too many noises. HELP
Savanna
Feb 23, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I have an i-dog i was petting it and it played two songs,i tried it again but it never plays the song
I lost the manule help!!!
Savanna
Feb 23, 2008 at 4:27 pm
By the waty if any one has a manule e-mail me at Snowowll345@aol.com
Savanna
Feb 24, 2008 at 5:56 pm
need help e-mail me at Snowowll345@aol.com
want i-dog stuff go to i-dog.com
Louise
Feb 25, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I bought one of those new fancy pants i-dogs. The kind that will tap it’s foot while playing music. I know there is a way to get him to stop tapping his foot cuz the noise is annoying but i lost the manual. Can someone remind me how to get him to hold still?
Amy
Mar 4, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I bought one of those new fancy pants i-dogs. The kind that will tap it’s foot while playing music. I know there is a way to get him to stop tapping his foot cuz the noise is annoying but i lost the manual. Can someone remind me how to get him to hold still and not bark?
Ashleigh
Mar 30, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hey There!
Just About To Buy An I-Dog ,But I’m Not Sure How I Would Plug My IPod Into It (e.g. Do You Plug In The Speakers Or The Cable For The Computer Or The Headphones?)Or Do You Have To Buy Another Part? !
Please Help Me
x
brianna
Apr 28, 2008 at 9:25 pm
MY idog wont turn on either! I got it this last x-mas and it worked fine for a few days then it stopped working! I put new battiers in and tried to reset it but still nothing! Can any one help or as i’m seeing no one knows the answer.
Claude
May 27, 2008 at 2:27 pm
The user manual to the iDog and the iDog pup are so not the same! I’ve got an iDog pup!
sydney
Jun 1, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I was listening to my I-dog and then it just stopped playing music or making any sounds for that matter. The lights work and everything…but it’s like his speakers dont work anymore……any help here please ^_^
mika
Jun 29, 2008 at 2:30 pm
i adopted my idog from my best friend and when i play songs he dosent move besides the lights can someone help me and tell me what to do thank you
Ami
Aug 20, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I dont understand how to plug my mp3 into the iDog! Do u need a special cord thing?
Ami
Aug 20, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I think I have the pup. Cuz its kinda mini.
Ami
Aug 20, 2008 at 9:07 pm
The mouth one is where you “feed him music”(thats why its by his mouth) the one on his head is where you pet him. To pet him you have to actually pet the hole.
Ami
Aug 20, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Gizmo:When you 1st get them they r hyper.(S)He’ll calm down soon.
hank
Sep 20, 2008 at 4:44 pm
The iDog will only play music if you play with it and feed it music.
tessa
Sep 25, 2008 at 2:56 pm
i had an American version idog. Most of time, I use it as a speaker. The movement and noisy sound he makes when it responses to the music annoy me very much. Is there any way can forbid it making any movements (head shaking)and noisy sound?
niamhstar14
Sep 27, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I got an idog for my birthday last year, workied fine until about 8 months ago and then got really messed up. whenever i turned it on, it would turn itself off and on for infinity until i took the batteries out. yesterday tho i decided to try again and put new batteries in, nothing happened. BUT, i plugged the little connect-2-mp3-player cord thingy in, and lo and behold, it turns on and is fine again! it is very cool. was it sick or something?
tessa: Nope. Not unless you stop feeding your dog music (or turn it off), neither of which will make it happy, and that defeats the whole purpose.
liltroysgrl
Sep 28, 2008 at 11:51 am
hey my daughter just got a pink idog for her bday and i threw away the manual like an idiot lol. weve been feeding it and playing with it but it doesnt have a sensor on its head. it has one on the bottom of its chin anyone know what thats for and what all the different flashing means!
jennifer
Nov 12, 2008 at 6:14 pm
i just purchased spidog and he hasn’t yet played his song,do i continue petting his head?oh ya my 2 yr old son wont leave his tail alone!!will he not do his song because of his tail being pulled???help please.thank you
KIAN
Nov 17, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I love the I dog I just don’t know how to record stuff like my voice
Gizmof
Nov 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Umm,it cant record things,its basicly a speaker that acts like a pet dog
Madeline
Nov 19, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I think if you want the song to play, you push the nose twice, but I have the old IDog. I think it’s supposed to sound like its mood.
EMILY
Dec 7, 2008 at 11:49 am
hey everyone i find my dog is alot happier whenever i SING to her instead of letting her listen to music do you know if its because i sing well or maybe because she doesnt like my music she loves when i sing love story by taylor swift and without you by hinder
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: